Post by flyingsquad on Jul 15, 2015 8:12:46 GMT

I liked the 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' series but not the film. I think there was good acting in the film but the script and direction were poor. The film lacked dramatic tension. The problem with the film was that it couldn't go into detail and had to leave lots of the story out that was important to the plot because of time. I liked the films 'The Deadly Affair' and 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold' which were based on John Le Carre novels.

Post by jno on Jul 15, 2015 10:48:53 GMT

The Sandbaggers is on the to watch list for me, though the very first one I have seen - I must confess it did seem pretty slow. Lots of recommendations to watch from different folks over the years so I will be sticking with it nevertheless.

I've not seen any of the Tinker Tailors.

---> Visit the number 1 Minder site on the web: www.minder.org---> or on YouTube: minderDOTorg

Daley & McCann are, as good as, holding hands, on the exercise yard, in the scrubs.

Post by flyingsquad on Jul 15, 2015 11:15:30 GMT

The Sandbaggers is on the to watch list for me, though the very first one I have seen - I must confess it did seem pretty slow. Lots of recommendations to watch from different folks over the years so I will be sticking with it nevertheless.

I've not seen any of the Tinker Tailors.

'The Sandbaggers' is slow compared to modern TV. A lot of it is discussions and arguing in offices.

Post by barrythebook on Jul 15, 2015 21:06:25 GMT

'Tinker,Tailor...' and the follow up, 'Smileys People' are pretty much the best British TV I've seen.The script,casting,acting,storylines and attention to detail are almost faultless as far as I'm concerned.

le Carres knowledge of the genre, having been a secret service operative himself, obviously contributes immensely to the quality of the plots but the scripts are also excellent. The vocabulary suits the ex-public school types to a tee,again le Carre had first hand knowledge of this world.

As far as the film offering goes, I didn't for one minute think it would or could be a patch on the TV serial. The film version simply wasn't long enough to fit in all of the crucial elements.

Post by flyingsquad on Jul 15, 2015 21:09:46 GMT

'Tinker,Tailor...' and the follow up, 'Smileys People' are pretty much the best British TV I've seen.The script,casting,acting,storylines and attention to detail are almost faultless as far as I'm concerned.

le Carres knowledge of the genre, having been a secret service operative himself, obviously contributes immensely to the quality of the plots but the scripts are also excellent. The vocabulary suits the ex-public school types to a tee,again le Carre had first hand knowledge of this world.

As far as the film offering goes, I didn't for one minute think it would or could be a patch on the TV serial. The film version simply wasn't long enough to fit in all of the crucial elements.

Watching the TV series of 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' I couldn't see how even a line of dialogue could be cut without losing something as it would be like missing a piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

Post by felixdeburgh on Jul 16, 2015 16:29:51 GMT

Have to agree with PP here - those 2 instalments of the Philby documentary are quite simply brilliant. I've still got them on the planner from a couple of years ago. His presenting style made me seek out the Op. Mincemeat one as well. A spellbinding story, brilliantly told.

Post by barrythebook on Jul 16, 2015 22:05:16 GMT

'Tinker,Tailor...' and the follow up, 'Smileys People' are pretty much the best British TV I've seen.The script,casting,acting,storylines and attention to detail are almost faultless as far as I'm concerned.

le Carres knowledge of the genre, having been a secret service operative himself, obviously contributes immensely to the quality of the plots but the scripts are also excellent. The vocabulary suits the ex-public school types to a tee,again le Carre had first hand knowledge of this world.

As far as the film offering goes, I didn't for one minute think it would or could be a patch on the TV serial. The film version simply wasn't long enough to fit in all of the crucial elements.

Watching the TV series of 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' I couldn't see how even a line of dialogue could be cut without losing something as it would be like missing a piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

Good point fs, I totally agree.

The plot and storyline are very intricate and require full attention but the viewer is rewarded with an excellent piece of television.

Post by ltd on Jul 18, 2015 8:03:37 GMT

Did anyone see that film The Lives Of Others?? I've had that on disc since it came out (10yrs ago-ish) and still never seen it!

I watched it a couple of years back. Quite long, and slow in places, but I thought it was a really good depiction of life in a totalitarian state from the point of view of the watchers and the watched. Parts of it were actually filmed in the old Stasi HQ in Berlin which added to the authenticity.

Other spy films I liked which I don't think have been mentioned:

Funeral in Berlin - sequel to the Ipcress file and for my money just as good, some great location filming in Berlin.

The Looking Glass War - adaptation of a John Le Carre novel, turns it into a rather strange road movie with sunny Spanish locations not entirely convincing as East Germany. The leading man is a bit dull. May count as an honourable failure.

The Deadly Affair – another Le Carre adaptation (Call for the Dead) with James Mason as Smiley (although he's called Charles Dobbs for copyright reasons). He's pretty good in the role although not in the same league as Alec Guinness. Good support from Harry Andrews and Roy Kinnear. There's a Sweeney-esque scene where the former gives the latter a right kicking.

A Dandy in Aspic – Laurence Harvey up to no good in Berlin (again). Tom Courtney as his psychopathic public school educated partner. Shade's of Callan's Toby Meares perhaps?

Charlie Muffin – already been mentioned on a couple of other threads. Like John Le Carre done as black comedy. David Hemmings suitably rumpled as the title character. Features Ian Richardson at his most hilariously pompous – almost a caricature of his Tinker Tailor... performance (think they were both made round about the same time).

On the "to watch" list I've got "Restless" – two part adaptation of William Boyd's novel and "The Game" which stars Bryan Cox as "Daddy", head of MI5 circa 1972.

Post by ltd on Jul 18, 2015 14:54:22 GMT

I've also got hold of Game, Set and Match the Len Deighton adaptation starring Ian Holm. I gather it's quite maligned in some quarters (not least by Deighton himself) but I'm interested to see what it's like.

Post by maninasuitcase on Jul 18, 2015 15:21:26 GMT

Yes, I will put in a couple of votes of agreement for 'Funeral in Berlin' and 'A Dandy in Aspic'. I have seen 'Funeral' a load of times but was only recently introduced to 'A Dandy in Aspic' by Barrythebook. Good movie.

Post by flyingsquad on Jul 18, 2015 16:16:18 GMT

I've also got hold of Game, Set and Match the Len Deighton adaptation starring Ian Holm. I gather it's quite maligned in some quarters (not least by Deighton himself) but I'm interested to see what it's like.

I haven't seen 'Game, Set and Match' but I like Ian Holm as an actor and think anything with him in is usually worth watching. Michael Culver and Anthony Bate are also in it and they are also actors who are usually worth watching.

Post by nixonuk on May 14, 2017 19:01:09 GMT

GS and M is maligned because Deighton hated the casting. Sad really as I though Holm did a good job. I disliked him at first as he was nothing like I imagined him being in the books. But he grew on me.

Charlie Muffin I read and enjoyed the movie. It stayed loyal to the first book in the series. Hemmings played him beautifully, like a British Columbo!

Does anyone know why they did not make any more? Freemantle went on to write 16 Charlie Muffin books.

Post by daz on May 14, 2017 19:15:01 GMT

'Tinker,Tailor...' and the follow up, 'Smileys People' are pretty much the best British TV I've seen.The script,casting,acting,storylines and attention to detail are almost faultless as far as I'm concerned.

le Carres knowledge of the genre, having been a secret service operative himself, obviously contributes immensely to the quality of the plots but the scripts are also excellent. The vocabulary suits the ex-public school types to a tee,again le Carre had first hand knowledge of this world.

As far as the film offering goes, I didn't for one minute think it would or could be a patch on the TV serial. The film version simply wasn't long enough to fit in all of the crucial elements.

I couldn't agree more. Exceptional television. I have read the books which are superb, but the BBC TV series really do them justice.

I also have to admit to liking the film. Yes it was cut to bits from the original story, but I think it was decent and a good introduction to Le Carre. I was always hoping to see SMileys People turned into a film, but nothing so far.

I really need to have another watch of the TV series though as its been too long.

Post by billymedhurst on May 14, 2017 19:27:00 GMT

For films, I love The Mackintosh Man, also The Quiller Memorandum; I prefer Guinness in this, I think he's a bit OTT as Smiley.

Ipcress, and Callan, goes without saying, also Tinker Tailer.....

I'm a definite Le Carre fan, although I wasn't as taken by the Night Manager as the rest of the world seemed to be.I understand The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is in production for tv.

I also like the work (but not the politics) of Frederick Forsyth.

I do love The Sandbaggers (possibly my favourite tv series ever), created by Ian Mackintosh, who was an intel officer in the RN (Lt. Cdr.) Yes, it does get called slow, but its not James Bond. "If you want James Bond, go to the library" (Neil Burnside, ep1) It relies on excellent scripts, acting, and tension, rather than car chases and shootouts.

Notable mentions also to the Assassination Run, and its follow-up the Treachery Game; (like so much BBC stuff, neither have had a DVD release; despite having been paid for by the licence-fee paying public); the former includes use of the term 'Sandbagger'

I also enjoyed The Game, which disappeared after one series a couple of years ago, shame.